Kenneth B. Morris, Jr., a descendant of Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington, bridges history and the present, sparking conversations on freedom, justice, and equality. Through storytelling and advocacy, he inspires others to confront the past and work toward a just future.
kbmjr.substack.com (https://kbmjr.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
What safeguards can protect a democracy if the person at the helm cannot be trusted?
Will checks and balances protect democracy without the people speaking up?
Frederick Douglass described a crisis of presidential leadership in 1867.
THEN IS NOW.
I’m so proud to have helped bring this project to life with the brilliant actor Keith David, writer and director extraordinaire Charles Randolph-Wright, and so many others who believe in the power of my ancestor Frederick Douglass’s words. His message remains remarkably relevant today.
This film reminds us why our voices matter and why exercising our right to vote is so important.
Make your voice heard. VOTE. 🗳️
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11 May 2026
The Untold Story of Anna Murray Douglass
Happy Mother’s Day to my great-great-great-grandmother Anna Murray Douglass, and to all the mothers out there.
This Mother’s Day, I wanted to honor my ancestor Anna Murray Douglass, one of the most important and overlooked freedom fighters in American history. Most people know Frederick Douglass. Far fewer know the woman who was the architect of his freedom and who worked alongside him for 44 years in the fight for freedom and human dignity.
Anna Murray Douglass was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, a strategist, a protector, and a revolutionary in her own right. Without her, there would have never been Frederick Douglass as we know him. Today, I remember her extraordinary legacy and honor all mothers whose love, strength, spirit, and sacrifice continue to shape the world.
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely my own and do not reflect the official policy or position of Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives (FDFI) or its Board of Directors.
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10 May 2025
Podcast Episode 4: What Would Frederick Douglass Think?
In this podcast episode, I wrestle with a question I carry every day: What would my great-great-great-grandfather think? This question concerns the state of our politics and how we as a country confront—or avoid confronting—our past.
Frederick Douglass believed in the power of moral clarity. He wasn’t afraid to call out injustice, even when it meant standing alone. I speak from the perspective of someone who lives with his legacy in my bones. I consider what my ancestor might say about the widening gap between our national myths and our lived realities, and whether we’ve drifted too far from the promise he fought to fulfill.
Podcast episode produced by Diana Kavilis.
Click here to read the full article (https://open.substack.com/pub/kbmjr/p/what-would-frederick-douglass-think?r=gvs4s&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false).
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25 Mar 2025
Episode 3: Hijacking Frederick Douglass
In this podcast episode, I speak from legacy and lived experience about how Frederick Douglass's words are twisted to justify modern political agendas he would have never supported. As his great-great-great-grandson, I carry more than just his name – I carry the responsibility to set the record straight.
Few things frustrate me more than seeing his words plucked from his speeches, stripped of their historical context, and exploited for political cover by those who proudly invoke him as an ideological beacon. It’s disingenuous and manipulative, and it undermines the very principles he dedicated his life to defending.
Podcast episode produced by Diana Kavilis.
Click here to read the full article. (https://kbmjr.substack.com/p/hijacking-frederick-douglass)
Share if you believe the truth matters.
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24 Nov 2024
Episode 2: The Myth of Blackbeard
On this day in history, November 22, 1718, the waters off the coast of North Carolina bore witness to a climactic showdown. Edward Teach, also known as the legendary pirate Blackbeard, faced his final stand in a brutal and bloody battle against British forces hell-bent on ending his reign of terror.
It may seem unusual that a descendant of Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington, someone who explores history, human rights, and the power of one through a Black historical lens, would reflect on Blackbeard's life and death. But hey, history often reveals unexpected parallels, and this tale utterly fascinates me.
Podcast episode produced by Diana Kavilis
Click here to read the full Blackbeard article. (https://open.substack.com/pub/kbmjr/p/the-myth-of-blackbeard?r=gvs4s&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web)
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21 Nov 2024
Episode 1: A Nation Tested
On this day in history, November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address during the height of the Civil War. The speech, delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, was only 272 words but carried immense weight. It was a testament to his leadership and steadfast vision for unity in one of the most turbulent periods in American history.
Read the full article (https://open.substack.com/pub/kbmjr/p/a-nation-tested?r=gvs4s&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web).
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